SWFL 2023: Minor premiers Busselton directly advance following tense semifinal win over South Bunbury

Busselton hung on to record an electrifying 10.7 (67) to 10.5 (65) second semifinal win over South Bunbury on Saturday at Sir Stewart Bovell Park. The Tigers mounted several attacking raids in the dying minutes to wrest back the lead, however the Magpies defence was able to hold their nerve and gobble up several intercept marks. For Busselton, who entered the game fresh from a week off, this game was all about believing — literally. After being jumped by three early goals against South in the first term, the Magpies began to settle and get into a rhythm. During his quarter time address, Delaney passionately urged his men on, with the word “believe” written in capital letters on the top of his coaching board. “We’ve settled now, so let’s get down to playing our brand of footy,” he said. “I want to see manic pressure everywhere from us and force them into making mistakes.” Over the following two and a half quarters, both sides oozed confidence and class as they threw everything into getting a direct path into the grand final. South Bunbury ruckman Jeremy Goddard was critical around the ground, as was the pace of Ethan Nordahl and skill of Shaun Crane. For the Magpies, Mitchell Tenardi used the ball effectively in traffic, while Zac Pethybridge and Jon Meadmore were diligent in defence. Early in the final quarter, the home side took outright control of the contest and when Blake Riley received a free kick from point-blank range at the six-minute mark, South’s hopes of a second semifinal victory looked all but over. Riley missed his shot, which appeared to galvanise the Tigers, who piled on three goals in four minutes to lead by 10 points midway through the term. However the Magpies players found a higher gear when they needed it most, with Mitch Howlett’s goal at the 19-minute mark of the final term enough to get the league leaders home amid a grandstand finish. South Bunbury will now face Carey Park in the league preliminary final on Sunday at Kelly Park.